Home cooking appliance having a pedestal burner

ABSTRACT

A home cooking appliance includes a cooktop surface and a gas pedestal burner on the cooktop surface. The gas pedestal burner includes a burner portion having a sidewall, a lower surface facing the cooktop surface, a plurality of burner ports in the sidewall, and a base portion under the burner portion. The base portion elevates the burner portion in a vertical direction above the cooktop surface and has a lower mounting surface disposed on the cooktop surface. An area of a footprint of the lower mounting surface of the base portion is less than an area of a footprint of the lower surface of the burner portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation-in-part application of U.S.application Ser. No. 12/368,493, filed on Feb. 10, 2009, for whichpriority is claimed under 35 U.S.C. § 120, the entire contents of theabove identified patent application is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a home appliance, and moreparticularly, to a home cooking appliance having a gas pedestal burner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In conventional cooking appliances, one or more gas burners are disposedon a cooktop surface of the cooking appliance. For example, FIG. 1 showsa conventional home cooking appliance 10 having a housing 12 and acooktop surface 14. The cooktop surface 14 includes a plurality ofburners 20. The housing 12 supports a grate 26 to support a cookingutensil, such as a pot, pan or kettle over the burner 20. The cooktopsurface 14 has a plurality of openings (not shown) defining thepositions for each of the burners 20. The cooktop surface 14 shown inFIG. 1 has a sealed burner arrangement.

Although burners for controlling gas flow and flame generation in acooking appliance have been known, a recent development improves flamespreading features within a controlled area so that the burner does notcreate a limited set of rings of heat application to a cooking utensil.For example, U.S. application Ser. No. 08/955,002 discloses a multiplefingered burner that expands the heating zone without exposing theperipheral ports in the fingers to exposure from spills occurring abovethe cooktop. The multiple fingered burner increases or maximizes aperimeter of the burner while also providing more consistent heating ofa cooking utensil across the heating zone. That is, the multiplefingered burner expands the heating zone to be more consistent over theperimeter and central zones of the cooking utensil.

While such an arrangement improves distribution of the flames within acooktop area, recent developments have attempted to further improveaccess to primary and secondary air in order to maintain appropriatelysized flame kernels throughout the irregular pattern of flame kernelsthroughout the cooktop area, and particularly when a sealed burnerarrangement is provided.

Additionally, recent cooktop innovations have attempted to maintain alow profile burner so as not to expose a protruding, interfering surfaceabove the cooktop surface of the appliance. However, the lowering of theburner in the cooktop also may interfere with the free flow of secondaryair near the burner ports that receive and discharge a primary fuel andair mixture. In addition, the conventional cooktop designs that providesealed burner openings may restrict access to secondary air within theappliance and prevent the use of this air as secondary bypass air nearthe burner ports.

Some conventional appliances attempt to improve access to secondary airfor flame production while also minimizing the height of the burner withrespect to the cooktop surface. Referring to FIGS. 2A-2D, in someconventional appliances, the cooktop surface 14 includes a“volcano-type” pedestal 30 that is integrally formed with the cooktopsurface 14 to elevate the burner 20 above the cooktop surface 14. Theburner 20 may be a circular or oval burner, a multiple fingered burner,or other burner. This arrangement may improve access to secondary airfor flame production. The integral “volcano-type” pedestal 30 commonlyis stamped or formed in the material of the cooktop surface 14 of theappliance. The “volcano-type” pedestal 30 commonly mimics the shape ofthe burner 20 to provide support for the burner 20. Also, the size ofthe “volcano-type” pedestal 30 commonly is greater than or equal to thesize of the burner 20.

In other conventional systems, the burner may include a pedestal, eitherseparate or integral, to elevate the burner above the cooktop surface.Conventionally, the pedestal has a shape that corresponds to, or mimics,the shape of the burner. Also, the size of the pedestal is greater thanor equal to the size of the burner to provide support for all areas ofthe burner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is directed to a home cookingappliance including a cooktop surface, a gas pedestal burner on thecooktop surface, wherein the gas pedestal burner includes a burnerportion having a sidewall, a lower surface facing the cooktop surface,and a plurality of burner ports in the sidewall, and a base portionunder the burner portion, the base portion elevating the burner portionin a vertical direction above the cooktop surface, wherein the baseportion has a lower mounting surface disposed on the cooktop surface,and wherein an area of a footprint of the lower mounting surface of thebase portion is less than an area of a footprint of the lower surface ofthe burner portion.

These features are important for, among other things, providing a homecooking appliance having a low profile burner that (1) elevates a burnerportion of the burner in a vertical direction above the cooktop surface,(2) reduces or minimizes an interface between the burner and the cooktop(i.e., drip pan) without affecting the size or shape of the burnerportion of the burner, which decreases the susceptibility of theappliance to trapping or capturing food or spills around the burner,thereby improving the cleanability of the appliance, (3) providesseparation between the surface of the cooktop (i.e., drip pan) and theburners to minimize or prevent burning of spills (e.g., a liquid orsolid) onto the surface of the cooktop, thereby further improving thecleanability of the appliance, and (4) improves air flow to the burnersfrom below the burners, as well as from the sides of the burners,thereby improving flame production and increasing the performance of theburner.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be describedbelow. To provide a better understanding of the invention, and forfurther clarification and background of the present invention, variousaspects and considerations of a home cooking appliance, which have beenrecognized by the present invention, first will be explained in greaterdetail.

The present invention recognizes that there is a need to provide anappliance having a burner that improves access to secondary air forflame production while also minimizing the height of the burner withrespect to the cooktop surface to provide a low-profile design and atthe same time improving the ease with which a user can access and cleansurfaces on and around the burner.

As explained above, conventional “volcano-type” pedestals may beintegrally formed with the cooktop surface to elevate the burner abovethe cooktop surface to improve access to secondary air for flameproduction. However, these conventional pedestals also increase thefootprint of the pedestal and burner. As shown in FIGS. 2A-2D, theincreased size of the footprint of the “volcano-type” pedestal 30results in an increase in the length of the interface 32 between thecooktop surface 14 and the “volcano-type” pedestal 30. This interface 32may increase the susceptibility of the appliance to trapping orcapturing food or spills and also may increase the time and difficultyof cleaning around the burner 20, and more particularly, cleaning theinterface 32 between the “volcano-type” pedestal 30 and the cooktopsurface 14. The length of the interface 34 between the burner 20 and the“volcano-type” pedestal 30 also may increase the time and difficulty ofcleaning around the burner 20, and more particularly, cleaning theinterface 34 between the burner 20 and the “volcano-type” pedestal 30.

Furthermore, the conventional pedestals commonly result in a surface ofthe cooktop being disposed adjacent to or substantially close to theburners, as shown in FIG. 2D. As a result, in many conventionalappliances, a flame 50 from the burner 20 may be close enough to thesurface of the cooktop 14 to heat or bake a spill (e.g., liquid orsolid) onto the surface of the cooktop, and more particularly, at theinterfaces 32 and 34, thereby rendering cleaning of the cooktop moredifficult.

Also, in many conventional appliances, a flame from the burner may beclose enough to the surface of the cooktop to cause discoloration of thesurface of the cooktop, for example, over a period of time and use. Thediscoloration of the surface may result in an undesirable appearance toa user.

Additionally, in many conventional appliances, the burner is locatedclose to the surface of the pedestal such that the flow of secondary airfor contributing to flame production may be inhibited or restricted. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 2C, the adjacent surfaces of the pedestal 30and the burner 20 may result in a flow of the secondary air 70 making asharp bend or turn, which may restrict or choke the supply of secondaryair 70 to the flame 50. As shown in FIG. 3, the choking effect may beincreased because of an arrangement of a sealed burner, which may limitaccess to secondary air from other sources, such as within the applianceor under the cooktop surface 14. FIG. 4 shows a non-sealed burner thatcan draw secondary air 60 from within the appliance or under the cooktopvia the opening 40 in the cooktop surface 14. However, the non-sealedburner may restrict or choke the flow of secondary air 70 from above thecooktop surface, which may affect the flame production.

To solve the problems with the conventional appliances, the presentinvention provides a home appliance, and more particularly, a homecooking appliance having a gas pedestal burner including a burnerportion having a sidewall, a lower surface facing the cooktop surface,and a plurality of burner ports in the burner portion, and a baseportion under the burner portion, the base portion elevating the burnerportion in a vertical direction above the cooktop surface, wherein thebase portion has a lower mounting surface disposed on the cooktopsurface. An area of a footprint of the lower mounting surface of thebase portion can be less than an area of a footprint of the lowersurface of the burner portion. An outermost perimeter edge of the burnerportion can extend radially outward in a horizontal direction by agreater amount than an outermost perimeter edge of the base portion.

As set forth above, these features are important for, among otherthings, providing a home cooking appliance having a low profile burnerthat (1) elevates a burner portion of the burner in a vertical directionabove the cooktop surface, (2) reduces or minimizes an interface betweenthe burner and the cooktop (i.e., drip pan) without affecting the sizeor shape of the burner portion of the burner, which decreases thesusceptibility of the appliance to trapping or capturing food or spillsaround the burner, thereby improving the cleanability of the appliance,(3) provides separation between the surface of the cooktop (i.e., drippan) and the burners to minimize or prevent burning of spills (e.g., aliquid or solid) onto the surface of the cooktop, thereby furtherimproving the cleanability of the appliance, and (4) improves air flowto the burners from below the burners, as well as from the sides of theburners, thereby improving flame production and increasing theperformance of the burner.

The present invention improves the cleanability of the appliance, andhence, the long term appearance of the appliance. Aspects of the presentinvention can minimize or reduce a footprint of the burner base, therebyfurther improving the cleanability of the appliance. More particularly,aspects of the invention can decrease the length of the interfacebetween the burner base and the cooktop surface or an intervening part,such as a separate burner base, which may decrease the susceptibility ofthe appliance to trapping or capturing food or spills. By limiting orreducing the length of these interfaces, the aspects of the inventionalso may decrease the time and difficulty of cleaning around the burner,and more particularly, decrease the time and difficulty of cleaningthese interfaces.

Moreover, aspects of the invention improve access and clearance forcleaning around the burner by raising the burner portion in a verticaldirection above the cooktop surface by a sufficient amount to provideclearance for cleaning, while at the same time decoupling (i.e.,eliminating the interrelationship between) the size and shape of thefootprint of the lower mounting surf ace of the base portion from thesize and shape of the footprint of the lower surface of the burnerportion. The present application has recognized that, if the clearancebetween the underside of the burner portion of the burner pedestal andthe cooktop surface is too small, a typical user will not be able to fittheir fingers along with a cleaning cloth or fabric in the space betweenthe underside of the burner portion and the cooktop surface, and thus,will not be able to easily clean around the base portion of the burnerpedestal or to easily clean the intersection between the base portion ofthe burner pedestal and the cooktop surface or an intervening part. Thepresent invention has determined that a minimum clearance ofapproximately 19 mm between the underside of the burner portion of theburner pedestal and the cooktop surface provides sufficient clearance toallow access for common finger sizes along with a cleaning cloth orfabric into the space between the underside of the burner portion of theburner pedestal and the cooktop surf ace to clean around the baseportion of the burner pedestal, or to clean the intersection between thebase portion of the burner pedestal and the cooktop surface or anintervening part. The minimum clearance of 19 mm can be provided betweenthe underside of the burner portion of the burner pedestal and thecooktop surface when measured at or near the perimeter of the burnerportion. However, in other embodiments, the minimum clearance of 19 mmcan be provided between the underside of the burner portion of theburner pedestal and the cooktop surface when measured at or near theintersection of the base portion of the pedestal burner with the burnerportion of the pedestal burner, thereby providing sufficient clearanceto allow access for common finger sizes along with a cleaning cloth orfabric into the space all the way to the base portion and theintersection between the base portion of the burner pedestal and thecooktop surf ace or an intervening part.

Furthermore, aspects of the invention can reduce or preventdiscoloration of the surface of the cooktop caused by the flame, forexample, over a period of time and use, thereby improving a user'ssatisfaction with the appearance of the appliance. The present inventionrecognizes that 304 stainless steel discolors at 200° C. The presentinvention has determined that a minimum clearance of approximately 25 mmbetween the cooktop surface and an upper surface of the sidewall of theburner portion (e.g., where the flame kernel emerges from the burnerports) results in a measured cooktop surface temperature that is lessthan 200° C., thereby effectively minimizing or preventing discolorationof a cooktop surface formed from 304 stainless steel.

Aspects of the invention can raise the burner portion in a verticaldirection above the cooktop surface by an amount that may be sufficientto reduce or prevent the flame from heating or baking a spill (e.g., aliquid or solid) onto the surface of the cooktop, thereby improving theease with which the cooktop can be cleaned. That is, the aspects of theinvention can reduce or minimize the radiative energy transferred to thecooktop from the flame of the burner. The invention provides animportant advantage of reducing or minimizing the temperature of thesurfaces of the appliance that are adjacent to the burner duringoperation of the burner.

The aspects of the invention also provide an important advantage ofincreasing a horizontal distance from the flame of the burner to theinterface between the burner base and the cooktop surface or anintervening part (such as a separate burner base on the cooktopsurface), thereby further reducing or preventing the flame from theburner from heating or baking a spill (e.g., a liquid or solid) onto thecooktop surface, and improving the ease with which the cooktop may becleaned.

Moreover, by raising the burner portion in a vertical direction abovethe cooktop surface, the aspects of the invention can improve orincrease the flow of secondary air for contributing to flame production,thereby improving or increasing the performance of the burner. Forexample, a gas burner having a pedestal burner according to an aspect ofthe invention can reduce or prevent a restriction or choking of the flowof secondary air to the flame kernel. Accordingly, the aspects of theinvention can maintain appropriately sized flame kernels throughout theirregular pattern (e.g., star-shaped pattern) of flame kernelsthroughout the cooktop area, and particularly when a sealed burnerarrangement is provided. The aspects of the invention also may providean appearance that the flames are floating above the surface of thecooktop, which may be visually pleasing to the user. The presentinvention has determined that a minimum clearance of approximately 25 mmbetween the cooktop surface and an upper surface of the sidewall of theburner portion (e.g., where the flame kernel emerges from the burnerports) can improve or increase the flow of secondary air forcontributing to flame production, thereby improving or increasing theperformance of the burner.

As explained above, the home cooking appliance can include one or moreburners in which the burner portion is elevated by a predeterminedvertical distance above the cooktop surface. The burner can include aburner portion, which includes a plurality of burner ports, and a baseportion under the burner portion that supports the burner portion andelevates the burner portion in a vertical direction above the cooktopsurface. In an exemplary embodiment, the burner portion and the baseportion can be integrally formed. In other exemplary embodiments, theburner portion and the base portion can be formed and assembled fromseparate parts.

The present invention also provides an important advantage of reducingcosts, such as manufacturing costs associated with the appliance. Forexample, an aspect of the present invention may take the place of the“volcano-type” pedestal such that the cooktop surface may be providedwith a flat surface, while still providing a desired elevation of theburner portion above the cooktop surface and/or a desired clearancebetween the burner portion and the cooktop surface. These aspects mayreduce the complexity and costs associated with manufacturing thecooktop surface, since the “volcano-type” pedestal may not be formed inthe cooktop surface.

Furthermore, the cooktop surface can be formed from a variety ofmaterials that otherwise may not be suitable for the “volcano-style”pedestal or for which forming a “volcano-style” pedestal may bedifficult or costly. For example, one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that forming a glass cooktop surface with an integrally formedpedestal may be more difficult and costly as compared to forming asimilar pedestal in a steel cooktop. The aspects of the presentinvention provide important advantages in that the cooktop surface canbe formed from a variety of materials, such as a glass surface, a steelsurface, a stainless steel surface, a porcelain surface, a paintedsurface, or another suitable surface. In these aspects of the invention,the pedestal burner may be mounted directly on the cooktop surface.

In other aspects, the pedestal burner may be provided in combinationwith a “volcano-style” pedestal on the cooktop surface. The pedestalburner may provide important advantages such as reducing the size of the“volcano-style” pedestal, which may reduce the complexity and costsassociated with producing the “volcano-style” volcano pedestal on thecooktop. In some aspects, a more compact and low-profile pedestal burneralso may be provided since the clearance between the lower surface ofthe burner portion of the pedestal burner and the cooktop surface withbe the sum of the height of the “volcano-style” pedestal and the heightof the base portion of the pedestal burner. Other aspects of the homecooking appliance can include a pedestal burner having a lower mountingsurface mounted on or coupled to one or more intervening parts, which inturn are mounted on or above the cooktop surface. For example, aseparate burner base can be provided on the cooktop surface or on a“volcano-style” pedestal on the cooktop surface, and the separate burnerbase can support the lower mounting surface of the pedestal burner. Inother aspects, the home cooking appliance can include a combination of a“volcano-style” pedestal and a pedestal burner that cooperate to elevatea burner portion of the pedestal burner by a predetermined verticaldistance above the cooktop surface, or a combination of a“volcano-style” pedestal, an intervening part (such as a separate burnerbase), and a pedestal burner that cooperate to elevate a burner portionof the pedestal burner by a predetermined vertical distance above thecooktop surface. In each exemplary aspect, the present invention can beconfigured to provide a vertical clearance (e.g., a predeterminedminimum vertical clearance) between a lower surface of the burnerportion of the pedestal burner and the cooktop surface, thereby makingit easier for a user to access and clean the surface of the cooktopunder the burner portion, and particularly, easier for a user to accessand clean an interface between the base portion of the pedestal burnerand the cooktop surface, the “volcano-style” pedestal, or theintervening part, while at the same time providing a low-profile burner.

In these exemplary aspects, a height of the base portion can beminimized to provide a low profile burner on the cooktop surface thatprovides sufficient clearance for cleaning while at the same timedecoupling (i.e., eliminating the interrelationship between) the sizeand shape of the footprint of the lower mounting surface of the baseportion from the size and shape of the footprint of the lower surface ofthe burner portion. For example, the present application has recognizedthat, if the clearance is too small, a typical user will not be able tofit their fingers along with a cleaning cloth or fabric in the spacebetween the underside of the burner portion of the burner pedestal andthe cooktop surface to clean around the base portion of the burnerpedestal, or to clean the intersection between the base portion of theburner pedestal and the “volcano-style” pedestal of the cooktop surface.Similarly, in embodiments with an intervening part between the baseportion of the burner pedestal and the cooktop, or between the baseportion of the burner pedestal and the “volcano-style” pedestal, atypical user will not be able to fit their fingers along with a cleaningcloth or fabric in the space to clean. The present invention hasdetermined that a minimum clearance of approximately 19 mm, provided bythe combination of the burner pedestal and the “volcano-style” pedestaland/or an intervening part, provides sufficient clearance to allowaccess for common finger sizes along with a cleaning cloth or fabricinto the space between the underside of the burner portion of the burnerpedestal and the cooktop surface to clean around the base portion of theburner pedestal, or to clean the intersection between the base portionof the burner pedestal and the “volcano-style” pedestal of the cooktopsurface, the cooktop surface, or an intervening part. The minimumclearance of 19 mm can be provided between the underside of the burnerportion of the burner pedestal and the cooktop surface when measured ator near the perimeter of the burner portion. However, in otherembodiments, the minimum clearance of 19 mm can be provided between theunderside of the burner portion of the burner pedestal and the cooktopsurface when measured at or near the intersection of the base portion ofthe pedestal burner with the burner portion of the pedestal burner,thereby providing sufficient clearance to allow access for common fingersizes along with a cleaning cloth or fabric into the space all the wayto the base portion and the intersection between the base portion of theburner pedestal and the cooktop surface or an intervening part. As aresult, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention can minimizea height of the base portion to provide a low profile burner on thecooktop surface that, in cooperation with a “volcano-style” pedestaland/or an intervening part, provides sufficient clearance for cleaningwhile at the same time decoupling (i.e., eliminating theinterrelationship between) the size and shape of the footprint of thelower mounting surface of the base portion from the size and shape ofthe footprint of the lower surface of the burner portion.

Other aspects of the invention can improve or increase the flow ofsecondary air from within the appliance or under the cooktop, which mayimprove the flame production. More particularly, an aspect provides aninternal path for the flow of secondary air from within the appliance orunder the cooktop. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention canprovide the advantages of both a sealed burner and a non-sealed burner.The present invention also can minimize or eliminate the disadvantagesof the conventional sealed burner and/or non-sealed burner. The presentinvention can be configured as a sealed burner or a non-sealed burner.

The features of the invention, however, together with additionalaspects, objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from thefollowing description of exemplary aspects when read in connection withthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects and features of embodiments of the presentinvention will be better understood after a reading of the followingdetailed description, together with the attached drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a conventional cooking appliance;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a conventional burner assembly;

FIG. 2B is a top view of the conventional burner assembly of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is a top view of another conventional burner assembly;

FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional view of the conventional sealed burnerassemblies of FIGS. 2B and 2C;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a conventional home cookingappliance having a sealed burner;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a conventional home cookingappliance having a non-sealed burner;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a home cooking applianceaccording to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a plurality-fingered burner assembly of a homecooking appliance having a planar cooktop surface according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7A is a side view of a plurality-fingered burner assembly of a homecooking appliance having a volcano-style cooktop surface according toanother embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7B is a side view of a plurality-fingered burner assembly of a homecooking appliance according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7C is a side view of a plurality-fingered burner assembly of a homecooking appliance according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7D is a table illustrating test results of the measured temperatureof a cooktop surface of a home cooking appliance according to severalexemplary embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of a home cooking appliancehaving a volcano-style cooktop surface according to another embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a plurality-fingered pedestal burner fora home cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is another perspective view of a plurality-fingered pedestalburner for a home cooking appliance according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 11 is another perspective view of a plurality-fingered pedestalburner for a home cooking appliance according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 12 is a side view of a plurality-fingered pedestal burner for ahome cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of a plurality-fingered pedestal burner for ahome cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a top view of a plurality-fingered pedestal burner for a homecooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a plurality-fingered pedestalburner for a home cooking appliance taken along section XV-A in FIG. 14,according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of a plurality-fingered pedestal burner for ahome cooking appliance according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 17 is a side view of a plurality-fingered burner assembly for ahome cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a plurality-fingered burner assemblyfor a home cooking appliance according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIGS. 19A and 19B are partial exploded perspective views of aplurality-fingered burner assembly for a home cooking applianceaccording to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 20A is a first side view of a pedestal for a home cooking applianceaccording to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 20B is a second side view of a pedestal for a home cookingappliance according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 20C is a third side view of a pedestal for a home cooking applianceaccording to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 20D is a top view of a pedestal for a home cooking applianceaccording to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 20E is a bottom view of a pedestal for a home cooking applianceaccording to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 20F is a perspective view of a pedestal for a home cookingappliance according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 20G is a perspective view of a pedestal for a home cookingappliance according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 21 is a partial cross-sectional view of a home cooking applianceaccording to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 22 is a top view of a pedestal for a home cooking applianceaccording to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 23 is a top view of a pedestal for a home cooking applianceaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention now is described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of theinvention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-23, exemplary embodiments of the invention willnow be described.

Referring to FIG. 5, a home cooking appliance 100 is shown having ahousing 112 and a cooktop surface 114. The cooktop surface 114 includesa plurality of burners 120. The housing 112 supports a grate 128 tosupport a cooking utensil, such as a pot, pan or kettle over the burner120. The cooktop surface 114 has a plurality of openings (not shown inFIG. 5) defining the positions for each of the burners 120. In anexemplary aspect, the cooktop surface 114 forms a sealed burnerarrangement which is discussed in greater detail below.

Each burner 120 includes a burner body 200 and a burner cap 126 thatcovers the burner body 200 to prevent leakage or overspills from cookingutensils from entering the burner 120. The burner body 200 in thisaspect has a plurality of fingers that form a star configuration and theburner cap 126 has a corresponding star configuration. However, theburner body 200 and burner cap 126 may have other configurations andshapes, such as a circular or oval shape, or another number of fingers.In an exemplary embodiment, the burner body 200 of each burner 120 hasan upper portion or burner portion 202, which includes a plurality ofburner ports 210, and a base portion 204 that elevates the burnerportion 202 in a vertical direction above the cooktop surface 114. Theburner portion 202 (upper portion) and the base portion 204 (lowerportion) can be integrally formed or separate parts, as shown forexample in the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 6-16. In otherexemplary embodiments, the burner body 200 of each burner 120 has aburner portion 350, which includes a plurality of burner ports 424, anda separately formed pedestal portion 400 that elevates the burnerportion 350 in a vertical direction above the cooktop surface 114, asshown for example in the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS.17-23. Each of these exemplary embodiments will be described in greaterdetail below.

With reference again to FIG. 5, an ignitor 140 is provided for ignitingthe air-gas mixture flowing from the burner ports 210 of the burner 120.The burner ports 210 can be formed in a sidewall of the burner portion,in an upper surface of the sidewall of the burner portion, and/or in anupper surface, cover, or cap of the burner portion. In the illustratedexample, the ignitor 140 can be configured to be mounted on a surface ofthe base portion 204 (or a surface of a separately formed pedestalportion 400). A plurality of control knobs 118 are carried on valvestems (not shown) protruding through openings in the control panel 116,as shown in FIG. 5, or alternatively, in the cooktop surface 114. Thecontrol knobs 118 are used to control a valve for flow of gas and theignition of each of the burners 120 in a well-known manner. The openingsin the control panel 116 can be configured to contribute to theavailability of secondary air within the appliance since the openingsare not positioned where leakage or overspills from cooking utensilswill expose the burner 120 or the ignitor to clogs or blockages that mayinterfere with operation of the burners 120. In another embodiment, thecooking appliance 100 may have an electronic, electromechanical, ormechanical control valve in place of the control knobs 118.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, each burner 120 includes a burner body 200and a burner cap 126 that covers the burner body 200 to prevent leakageor overspills from cooking utensils from entering the burner body 200.The burner body 200 and burner cap 126 define an interior chamber orcavity. The burner body 200 includes a plurality of recesses formingburner ports 210. The burner ports 210 are in fluid communication withthe interior chamber or cavity and the exterior of the burner 120 forpermitting flow of the air-gas mixture from the burner 120. The burnerports 210 can be formed in a sidewall of the burner portion, in an uppersurface of the sidewall of the burner portion, and/or in an uppersurface, cover, or cap of the burner portion.

As shown in FIG. 5, the burner body 200 in this example has a pluralityof fingers that form a star configuration and the burner cap 126 has acorresponding star configuration. In this aspect, the burner body 200has five fingers that form a star configuration. One of ordinary skillin the art will recognize that other numbers of fingers andconfigurations can be provided. For example, the burner body 200 andburner cap 126 may have other configurations and shapes, such as adifferent number of fingers than shown in the example embodiments, acircular shape, an oval shape, an irregular shape, etc. A size, shape,arrangement, etc. of the burner cap 126 can be configured to closelycorrespond to the size, shape, arrangement, etc. of the burner body 200,or the burner cap 126 may differ from the burner body 200 in one or moreways.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, one or more of the burners 120 can beconfigured to elevate the burner portion by a predetermined verticaldistance above the cooktop surface 114. As shown in the exampleillustrated in FIG. 6, the burner body 200 of each burner 120 has aburner portion 202, which includes a plurality of burner ports 210, anda base portion 204 under the burner portion 202 that supports the burnerportion 202 and elevates the burner portion 202 in a vertical directionabove the cooktop surface 114. The burner portion 202 and the baseportion 204 can be integrally formed, as shown for example in theexemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 6-16, or separate parts, asshown for example in the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS.17-23.

Referring to FIG. 6, the burner portion 202 has a sidewall 206 having aplurality of burner ports 210 and a lower surface 208 facing the cooktopsurface 114. The burner cap 126 can be supported on top of the burnerportion 202. The locations of the burner ports 210 are not limited tothe illustrated embodiment and can be formed in one or more of thesidewall of the burner portion, in an upper surface of the sidewall ofthe burner portion, and/or in an upper surface, cover, or cap of theburner portion.

The burner body 200 includes a base portion 204 under the burner portion202 that elevates the burner portion 202 in a vertical direction abovethe cooktop surface 114. The base portion 204 has a sidewall 212 thatintersects with the lower surface 208 of the burner portion 202 and alower mounting surface 214 that is disposed either directly orindirectly on or above the cooktop surface 114. In the illustratedexample, the lower mounting surface 214 is mounted or coupled directlyon the cooktop surface 114. However, in other embodiments, for exampleas illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7C, the lower mounting surface 214 is mountedor coupled on an intervening part that is disposed on or above thecooktop surface 114. In other embodiments, the lower mounting surface214 can include one or more recesses, protrusions, cutouts, steppedportions, alignment features, etc. that engage an opening orcorresponding feature of the cooktop surface 114 or an intervening partto secure the burner body 200 to the cooktop surface 114 or align theburner body 200 on the cooktop surface 114.

As shown in FIG. 6, the sidewall 206 of the burner portion 202 can betapered by a predetermined amount such that a periphery of the burnerportion 202, or an area of the burner portion 202, increases in avertical direction from the lower surface 208 of the burner portion 202up to the upper surface of the burner portion 202, or at least up to theplurality of burner ports 210 of the burner portion 202, in order topromote and/or guide a flow of secondary air flowing along the peripheryof the sidewall 206 of the burner portion 202 to the plurality of burnerports 210 of the burner portion 202. One of ordinary skill in the artwill recognize that the amount of taper can be determined based on, forexample, a desired amount of flow promotion, a desired shape or size,manufacturing considerations such as removal of a cast part from a moldor die, etc. In other embodiments, the sidewall 206 of the burnerportion 202 can be substantially vertical such that a periphery of theburner portion 202, or an area of the burner portion 202, remainssubstantially the same in a vertical direction extending away from thecooktop surface 114.

Referring again to FIG. 6, the sidewall 212 of the base portion 204 canbe tapered such that a width of the base portion 204, or an area of thebase portion 204, increases in a vertical direction extending away fromthe cooktop surface 114. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a periphery ofthe base portion 204 increases continuously in a vertical direction fromthe lower mounting surface 214 up to the lower surface 208 of the burnerportion 202. These feature may be beneficial for promoting a flow ofsecondary air along the surface of the base portion 204. One of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize that the amount of taper can bedetermined based on, for example, a desired amount of flow promotion, adesired shape or size, manufacturing considerations such as removal of acast part from a mold or die, etc. In other embodiments, the sidewall212 of the base portion 204 can be substantially vertical such that awidth of the base portion 204, or an area of the base portion 204,remains substantially the same in a vertical direction extending awayfrom the cooktop surface 114.

Referring again to the example in FIG. 6, the lower mounting surface 214of the base portion 204 intersects or interfaces with the cooktopsurface 114 at interface 250. As explained above, interfaces betweenadjoining parts, sharp angles or curves, and/or intricate shapes may bemore susceptible to trapping or capturing food or spills than flat,smooth, or gradually curved surfaces. The present invention recognizesthat the susceptibility of trapping or capturing food or spills mayincrease as the length of the interface increases and/or as theintricacy of the shape of the interfacing parts increases. As shown inFIG. 6, an area A1 of a footprint of the lower mounting surface 214 ofthe base portion 204 is less than an area A2 of a footprint of the lowersurface 208 of the burner portion 202. The footprint (e.g., the size,area, length, size and shape (or outline), length and shape (oroutline), or area and shape (or outline), etc.) of the lower mountingsurface 214 of the base portion 204 of the burner body 200 has nocorrelation (e.g., no mathematical correlation) with the bottom, orfootprint, of the lower surface 208 of the burner portion 202 of theburner body 200. For example, in an aspect, the size and shape of thefootprint of the lower mounting surface 214 is independent from the sizeand shape of the footprint of the lower surface 208 of the burnerportion 202. In another aspect, the area and/or the length of theperimeter of the footprint of the lower mounting surface 214 is lessthan the area or the length of the perimeter of the burner 120. As aresult, the base portion 204 decouples (i.e., eliminates theinterrelationship between) the footprint, shape, and/or size of theburner portion 202 from the interface 250 with the cooktop surface 114,thereby reducing or minimizing the susceptibility of trapping orcapturing food or spills irrespective of the footprint, shape, and/orsize of the burner portion 202. In this way, a shape, size, and/orarrangement of the burner portion 202 can be configured to, for example,improve cooking characteristics of the burner with little or no effecton the cleanability of the cooktop surface 114 under or around theburner 120.

Referring again to FIG. 6, the base portion 204 increases a horizontaldistance X1 (e.g., a predetermined horizontal distance) between theflames of the burner 120 and the interface 250 between the base portion204 and the cooktop surface 114, thereby reducing or preventing theflame from the burner 120 from heating or baking a spill (e.g., a liquidor solid) onto the surface of the cooktop, and more particularly at theinterface 250 which is more difficult to clean, and improving the easewith which the cooktop surface 114 may be cleaned.

Referring again to FIG. 6, the base portion 204 provides a verticalclearance C1 (e.g., a predetermined vertical clearance) between thelower surface 208 of the burner portion 202 and the cooktop surface 114,thereby making it easier for a user to access and clean the surface ofthe cooktop 114 under the burner portion 202, and particularly, easierfor a user to access and clean the interface 250 between the baseportion 204 and the cooktop surface 114. For example, the assembly ofthe burner body 200 on the cooktop surface 114 can be configured toprovide a minimum clearance C1 of equal to or greater than 19 mm inorder to provide sufficient space for a user to clean under the burnerportion 202, while at the same time providing a low-profile burner 120.

The present invention has determined that a minimum clearance C1 ofapproximately 19 mm between the underside of the burner portion 202 andthe cooktop surface 114 provides sufficient clearance to allow accessfor common finger sizes along with a cleaning cloth or fabric into thespace between the underside of the burner portion 202 and the cooktopsurface 114 to clean around the base portion 204, or to clean theinterface 250 between the base portion 204 and the cooktop surface 114.The minimum clearance of 19 mm can be provided between the underside ofthe burner portion 202 and the cooktop surface 114 when measured at ornear the perimeter of the burner portion 202. However, in otherembodiments, the minimum clearance of 19 mm can be provided between theunderside of the burner portion 202 and the cooktop surface 114 whenmeasured at or near the intersection of the base portion 204 with theburner portion 202, thereby providing sufficient clearance to allowaccess for common finger sizes along with a cleaning cloth or fabricinto the space all the way to the base portion 204 and the interface 250between the base portion 204 and the cooktop surface 114.

The lower surface 208 can be tapered such that the clearance is greaterat a perimeter of the burner portion 202 than at an intersection of theburner portion 202 with the base portion 204, thereby making it easierfor a user to clean under the burner portion 202. Additionally oralternatively, the tapered lower surface 208 can promote and/or guide aflow of secondary air flowing along the lower surface 208 and onto thesidewall 206 of the burner portion 202 to the plurality of burner ports210 of the burner portion 202. One of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that the amount of taper can be determined based on, forexample, a desired amount of clearance, a desired amount of flowpromotion, a desired shape or size, as well as manufacturingconsiderations such as removal of a cast part from a mold or die, etc.In other embodiments, the lower surface 208 can be horizontally arrangedsuch that the clearance is substantially the same from the perimeter ofthe burner portion 202 to the intersection of the burner portion 202with the base portion 204.

As shown in FIG. 6, the sidewall 206 of the burner portion 202 can betapered by a predetermined amount such that a periphery of the burnerportion 202, or an area of the burner portion 202, increases in avertical direction from the lower surface 208 of the burner portion 202up to the upper surface of the burner portion 202, or at least up to theplurality of burner ports 210 of the burner portion 202, in order topromote and/or guide a flow of secondary air flowing along the peripheryof the sidewall 206 of the burner portion 202 to the plurality of burnerports 210 of the burner portion 202. One of ordinary skill in the artwill recognize that the amount of taper can be determined based on, forexample, a desired amount of flow promotion, a desired shape or size,manufacturing considerations such as removal of a cast part from a moldor die, etc. In other embodiments, the sidewall 206 of the burnerportion 202 can be substantially vertical such that a periphery of theburner portion 202, or an area of the burner portion 202, remainssubstantially the same in a vertical direction extending away from thecooktop surface 114.

The intersections between the surface of the sidewall 212 of the baseportion 204 and the lower surface 208 of the burner portion 202 can betapered, angled, and/or curved at one or more locations, or continuouslyalong a length of the intersection, in order to promote and/or guide aflow of secondary air flowing from one surface to the next surface,improve ease of manufacturing, etc. Similarly, the intersections betweenthe lower surface 208 of the burner portion 202 and one or more portionsof the sidewall 206 of the burner portion 202 can be tapered, angled,and/or curved at one or more locations, or continuously along a lengthof the intersection, in order to promote and/or guide a flow ofsecondary air flowing from one surface to the next surface, improve easeof manufacturing, etc.

As shown in FIG. 6, the clearance C1 generally corresponds to a heightof the base portion 204 when the mounting surface 214 of the baseportion 204 is mounted directly on the cooktop surface 114. In otherembodiments of the home cooking appliance, the lower mounting surface214 can be mounted on an intervening part that is mounted on or abovethe cooktop surface 114 and/or on a volcano-style pedestal that isintegrally formed on the cooktop surface. For example, referring toFIGS. 7A-7C, the burner 120 can be mounted on a volcano-style pedestal122 and/or a similar structure 122 a extending in a vertical directionfrom the cooktop surface 114. In these exemplary arrangements of thehome cooking appliance, the clearance C2 generally equals a sum of theheight of the base portion 204 and a height of the volcano-stylepedestal 122 and/or a similar structure 122 a extending in a verticaldirection from the cooktop surface 114. For example as shown in FIGS.7A-7C, the assembly of the burner body 200 on the cooktop surface 114can be configured to provide a minimum clearance C2 of equal to orgreater than 19 mm in order to provide sufficient space for a user toclean under the burner portion 202, while at the same time providing alow-profile burner 120. In an embodiment in which the burner 120 ismounted on an intervening part, a volcano-style pedestal 122, or asimilar structure extending in a vertical direction from the cooktopsurface 114, a height of the base portion 204 can be minimized toprovide a low profile burner 120 on the cooktop surface 114 thatprovides sufficient clearance C2 (e.g., equal to or greater than 19 mm)for cleaning while at the same time decoupling (i.e., eliminates theinterrelationship between) the size and shape of the footprint of thelower mounting surface 214 of the base portion 204 from the size andshape of the footprint of the lower surface 208 of the burner portion202.

Similar to the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 6, the present invention hasdetermined that a minimum clearance C2 of approximately 19 mm betweenthe underside of the burner portion 202 and the cooktop surf ace 114, inthe exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 7 A-7C, provides sufficient clearanceto allow access for common finger sizes along with a cleaning cloth orfabric into the space between the underside of the burner portion 202and the cooktop surf ace 114 to clean around the base portion 204, or toclean the interface 250 between the base portion 204 and the cooktopsurface 114. The minimum clearance of 19 mm can be provided between theunderside of the burner portion 202 and the cooktop surface 114 whenmeasured at or near the perimeter of the burner portion 202. However, inother embodiments, the minimum clearance of 19 mm can be providedbetween the underside of the burner portion 202 and the cooktop surface114 when measured at or near the intersection of the base portion 204with the burner portion 202, thereby providing sufficient clearance toallow access for common finger sizes along with a cleaning cloth orfabric into the space all the way to the base portion 204 and theinterface 250 between the base portion 204 and the cooktop surface 114,the “volcano-style” pedestal 122, and/or the intervening part 122 a.

Referring again to FIGS. 6 and 7A-7C, the base portion 204 elevates theburner portion 202 above the cooktop surf ace 114, thereby increasing avertical distance Y1, Y2 (e.g., a predetermined vertical distance)between the cooktop surface 114 and an upper surface of the sidewall 206of the burner portion 202 (e.g., upper surface 220 of the sidewall 206shown in FIGS. 9-16, where the flame kernel is produced at burner ports210), thereby reducing or preventing discoloration of the surface of thecooktop caused by the flame, for example, over a period of time and use,thereby improving a user's satisfaction with the appearance of theappliance. The present invention recognizes that 304 stainless steeldiscolors at 200° C. As illustrated by the Table in FIG. 7D, a minimumvertical distance, or clearance (e.g., Y1 in FIG. 6 or Y2 in FIGS. 7A-7C), of approximately 25 mm between the cooktop surface and an uppersurface (e.g., 220 shown in FIGS. 9-16) of the sidewall 206 of theburner portion 202 (i.e., where the flame kernel is produced at burnerports 210) results in a measured cooktop surface temperature of 186° C.Since this temperature is less than 200° C., the present invention caneffectively minimize or prevent discoloration of a cooktop surfaceformed using 304 stainless steel.

These features also may reduce or prevent the flame from the burner 120from heating or baking a spill (e.g., a liquid or solid) onto thesurface of the cooktop 114, and thereby further improving the ease withwhich the cooktop 114 can be cleaned. That is, the aspects of theinvention can reduce or minimize the radiative energy transferred to thesurface of the cooktop 114 from the flame of the burner portion 202,thereby reducing or minimizing the temperature of the surfaces of theappliance that are adjacent to the burner during operation of theburner, as well as food or spills laying on the surface of the cooktop114. As a result, even if food or spills are trapped or captured alongthe interface 250, the food or spills may not be baked on, therebymaking the food or spill easier to clean.

As will be explained in greater detail below, the size, shape, etc. ofthe base portion 204, and particularly the perimeter or footprint of thelower mounting surface 214 of the base portion 204, can be configured tominimize a susceptibility of food or spills to be trapped or captured atthe interface 250 between the base portion 204 and the volcano-stylepedestal 122 of the cooktop surface 114. For example, the size, shape,etc. of the base portion 204, and particularly the perimeter orfootprint of the lower mounting surface 214 of the base portion 204, cancorrespond to one or more of the size or shape of a perimeter orfootprint of an upper mounting surface of the volcano-style pedestal 122of the cooktop surface 114 and/or a similar structure 122 a extending ina vertical direction from the cooktop surface 114. For example, one ormore of an intervening part, a volcano-style pedestal 122, or a similarstructure 122 a extending in a vertical direction from the cooktopsurface 114 can have a circular shape, an oval shape, a tear-drop shape,or another shape footprint that corresponds to a shape of the footprintof the lower mounting surface 214 of the base portion 204.

FIG. 8 is a partial cut-away view of a burner 120 on a cooktop surface114 having a volcano-style pedestal 122 similar to FIG. 7 A. As shown inFIG. 8, the housing of the home cooking appliance has an interior box ora rough-in box 302 that encloses the cooktop controls and gas nozzle 310inside a cooking appliance 100, such as a range, or under a cooktop forinstallation in a rough-in opening in a cabinet or countertop. Therough-in box 302 may include a bottom wall to prevent spillage throughthe openings in the cooktop surface from soiling the interior of therange or cabinet. In addition, the rough-in box 302 may provide supportfor a jet holder 306. An additional bracket 316 also may be provided tosupport the jet holder 306. As shown in FIG. 8, a venturi tube 308includes an elongated body having a venturi passage 318. The body of theventuri tube 308 may include an exterior, threaded portion adapted toreceive a nut to lock the venturi tube 308 into position in the openingof the cooktop surface 114, under the cooktop surface 114, or inside oron the burner body 200. The lower end of the venturi tube 308 isreceived in a jet holder 306 and the upper end of the venturi tube 308is received in, or extends through, an opening 222 in an inner bottomsurface 224 of the burner portion 202 of the burner body 200, which willbe described in greater detail below. The base portion 204 of the burnerbody 200 can include a hollow cavity (lower cavity) or an opening orpassageway for permitting the venturi tube 308 to pass through to anupper cavity in the burner portion 202. The opening 222 in the innerbottom surf ace 224 of the burner portion 202 and the lower cavity,opening, or passageway in the base portion 204 can be integrally formed,for example, having the same size and/or shape, or separately formed,for example, with different sizes and/or shapes. The burner portion 202of the burner body 200 can include, for example, one or more burner headtabs, projections, slots, or other alignment features (e.g., 234) forlocating, aligning, and/or securing the burner cap 126 to the burnerbody 200.

The jet holder 306 may be supported by the rough-in box 302 or anothersupport. The jet holder 306 may be mounted in the opening of the cooktopsurface 114 or under the cooktop surface 114. The jet holder 306positions a gas nozzle 310 for introducing gas for mixture with air andentry into the venturi passage 318 as is known conventionally. Thenozzle 310 is coupled to a supply of gas 312 and discharges the fuel toa mixing zone 314 adjacent the entry to the venturi passage 318.

In this example, the gas burner 120 is a sealed gas burner. The lowermounting surface 214 of the base portion 204 rests on the surface of thevolcano-style pedestal 122 of the cooktop surface 114, and in someexemplary aspects, can be configured to form a seal against the surfaceof the volcano-style pedestal 122 of the cooktop surface 114. In otherembodiments of a sealed gas burner, the lower mounting surface 214 ofthe base portion 204 rests on, or is supported by, the surface of anintervening part (such as a separate burner base structure) or a similarstructure extending in a vertical direction from the cooktop surface114, and in some exemplary aspects, is configured to form a seal againstthe surface of an intervening part or a similar structure extending in avertical direction from the cooktop surface 114.

In operation, the supply of gas 312 is delivered through the nozzle 310and mixed with air at the mixing zone 314. The air-gas mixture enters aventuri passage 318 for delivery to the burner portion 202 of the burner120. The air-gas mixture then passes through the burner ports 210 suchthat, upon ignition by an appropriate ignitor (e.g., 140 in FIG. 5), aflame may be initiated and sustained at the perimeter of the sidewall206 of the burner portion 202 and the burner cap 126 of the burner 120.The burner body 200 can improve a flow of secondary air radially inwardfrom the sides of the burner 120 to each flame at the burner ports 210,thereby improving initiation of the flames of the burner 120 and helpingto sustain consistent flames of the burner 120.

It is noted that other arrangements of the burner 120, venturi tube 308,and gas nozzle 310 may be provided without departing from the spirit andscope of the present invention. For example, in another aspect, theventuri tube 308 may be integrally formed with the burner body 200. Inother embodiments, the arrangement of the burner 120 and cooktop surface114 can be a seal or a non-sealed burner arrangement having a pedestalburner 200.

Referring to FIGS. 9-16, exemplary embodiments of a burner body 200 willnow be described.

As shown for example in FIGS. 9 and 10, the burner portion 202 of theburner body 200 can include a plurality of fingers defined by thesidewall(s) 206 and generally forming a star shape. In this aspect, theburner portion 202 has five fingers that form a star configurationcorresponding to the star configuration or upper footprint of the burner120 shown in FIG. 5. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognizethat other numbers of fingers, configurations, sizes, shapes, etc. canbe provided. For example, the burner portion 202 may have a circular oroval shaped configuration. FIG. 9 shows the opening 222 in the innerbottom surface 224 of the burner portion 202 that receives the venturipassage 318 (shown in FIG. 8) and facilitates the flow of the air-gasmixture from the venturi passage 318 into an upper cavity defined by theinner bottom surface 224 and the inner sidewall surface 236 of thesidewalls 206 of the burner portion 202, along with the burner cap 126.The air-gas mixture then passes from the upper cavity through the burnerports 210 for ignition by an appropriate ignitor (e.g., 140 in FIG. 5).The burner ports 210 generally are illustrated as having substantiallythe same width and/or depth at each location around the sidewall 206. Inother embodiments, one or more of the burner ports 210 can have adifferent width and/or depth in the sidewall 206. The burner ports 210can extend through the sidewall 206 at an angle normal to the surface ofthe sidewall or at another angle with respect to the side wall. In theexample, the burner ports 210 at each tip of the fingers extend at anangle normal to the surface of the sidewall 206, while the burner ports210 disposed along the sides of the fingers are arranged at an anglewith respect to the side wall 206. One of ordinary skill will recognizethat the size, shape, and orientation (e.g., angle) can be provided topromote a predetermined flow of the air-gas mixture from the spacewithin the burner portion 202 through the burner ports 210. Thelocations of the burner ports 210 are not limited to the illustratedembodiments and can be formed in one or more of the sidewall of theburner portion, in an upper surface of the sidewall of the burnerportion, and/or in an upper surface, cover, or cap of the burnerportion.

In this example, the burner portion 202 includes a plurality of burnerhead tabs 234 for locating, aligning, and/or securing the burner cap 126to the burner body 200. An upper surface 220 of the sidewall 206 caninclude one or more projections 238 for supporting the burner cap 126 onthe burner body 200, and particularly, for supporting the burner cap 126in a spaced position above the upper surface 220 of the sidewalls 206 ofthe burner body 200.

Referring again to FIGS. 9-16, and particularly FIGS. 11-13, the burnerbody 200 includes a burner portion 202 having a lower surface 208 and abase portion 204 having a sidewall 212 that intersects at 230 with thelower surface 208 of the burner portion 202. The lower surface 208 ofeach finger is tapered. Additionally, in this example, the intersectionbetween the lower surface 208 and the sidewalls 206 includes a taperedor angled edge 232. As explained above, the lower mounting surface 214of the base portion 204 can include one or more recesses, protrusions,cutouts, stepped portions, alignment features, etc. that engage anopening or corresponding feature of the cooktop surface 114 or anintervening part to secure the burner body 200 to the cooktop surface114 or align the burner body 200 on the cooktop surface 114. In thisexample, the mounting surface 214 includes a protrusion 226 and a cutoutor slot 228 for aligning and securing the burner body 200 to a cooktopsurface 114 or an intervening part.

Referring again to FIGS. 9-16, and particularly FIGS. 11-15, an area ofa footprint of the lower mounting surface 214 of the base portion 204 isless than an area of a footprint of the lower surface 208 of the burnerportion 202. The footprint (e.g., the size, area, length, size and shape(or outline), length and shape (or outline), or area and shape (oroutline), etc.) of the lower mounting surface 214 of the base portion204 of the burner body 200 has no correlation (e.g., no mathematicalcorrelation) with the bottom, or footprint, of the lower surface 208 ofthe burner portion 202 of the burner body 200. For example, in anaspect, the size and shape of the footprint of the lower mountingsurface 214 is independent from the size and shape of the footprint ofthe lower surface 208 of the burner portion 202. In another aspect, thearea and/or the length of the perimeter of the footprint of the lowermounting surface 214 is less than the area or the length of theperimeter of the burner portion 202.

As explained above, the lower mounting surface 214 of the base portion204 can have a circular shape, an oval shape, a tear-drop shape, oranother shape footprint. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 9-15, thelower mounting surface 214 of the base portion 204 has a tear-dropshape. A narrow end of the tear-drop shape extends between two of thefingers of the burner portion 202 and forms an ignitor surface 216disposed between the two fingers of the burner portion 202. The ignitorsurface 216 has an opening 218 configured to receive an ignitor 140(shown in FIG. 5) for igniting the air-gas mixture flowing from theburner ports 210 during operation.

Referring to FIG. 16, another exemplary embodiment of a burner body 200is illustrated in which a lower mounting surface 214 of the base portion204 has a circular shape. In these example aspects, the ignitor and/orignitor support can be separate from the pedestal and disposed adjacentto the pedestal at a height and/or distance that is sufficient forigniting the air-gas mixture flowing from the burner 120. For example,an ignitor may be provided on the cooktop surface 114, on anotherintervening part, or on an adjacent part for igniting the air-gasmixture flowing from the burner ports 210 during operation.

With reference again to FIGS. 8-16, and as explained above, the burnerbody 200 can include an opening 222 fluidly connecting an upper cavitydefined by the inner bottom surface 224 and the inner sidewall surfaces236 of the sidewalls 206 and a lower cavity, opening, or passagewayformed in the burner portion 204. One or more of the inner bottomsurface 224 and the inner sidewall surfaces 236 of the sidewalls 206 ofthe burner portion can be tapered to promote a desired flow of theair-gas mixture, to facilitate removal of the part from a mold or die,etc. Alternatively, the inner bottom surface 224 can be parallel to aplane of the upper surface 220 of the burner portion 202, and/or theinner sidewall surfaces 236 of the sidewalls 206 of the burner portion202 can be perpendicular to the upper surface 220. One of ordinary skillin the art will recognize that various combinations of perpendicular,parallel, angled, tapered, and/or curved surfaces may be provided.

Similarly, inner surfaces of the lower cavity, opening, or passagewayformed in the burner portion 204 can be tapered, for example, to promotea desired flow of the air-gas mixture, to facilitate removal of the partfrom a mold or die, to secure a venture tube within, etc. One ofordinary skill in the art will recognize that various cavityconfigurations are possible for promoting the flow of the air-gasmixture through the portions of the burner body 200. One of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize that various outer surf aceconfigurations are possible for promoting the flow of secondary air overthe surfaces of the burner body 200 to the burner ports 210.

With reference now to FIGS. 17-23, exemplary embodiments of a burner 120having a burner portion 350 and a separate pedestal portion 400 will nowbe described. As explained above, in other exemplary embodiments, one ormore of the burners 120 shown in FIG. 5 can include a burner portion350, which includes a plurality of burner ports 424, and a separatelyformed pedestal portion 400 that elevates the burner portion 350 in avertical direction above the cooktop surface 114. In some exemplaryembodiments, an ignitor 140 for igniting the air-gas mixture flowingfrom the burner ports 210 can be mounted on a surface of the pedestal400.

Referring to FIGS. 17-20G, the burner 120 includes a burner body 350having a plurality of fingers. In this aspect, the burner 120 has fivefingers that form a star configuration. One of ordinary skill in the artwill recognize that other numbers of fingers and configurations can beprovided, such as round or oval burners. A burner cap 126 having aplurality of fingers covers the burner body 350 to prevent leakage oroverspills from cooking utensils from entering the burner 120. Theburner body 350 and burner cap 126 define an interior chamber. Theburner body 350 includes a plurality of recesses forming burner ports424. The burner ports 424 are in fluid communication with the chamberand the exterior of the burner 120 for permitting flow of the air-gasmixture from the burner 120.

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the burner 120 is supported by or mountedon a pedestal 400. As set forth above, the burner body 350 and thepedestal 400 also may be integrally formed. The pedestal 400 elevatesthe burner body 350, thereby increasing a vertical distance Y3 (e.g., apredetermined vertical distance) between the flames of the burner 120and the cooktop surface 114, thereby reducing or preventing the flamefrom the burner from heating or baking a spill (e.g., a liquid or solid)onto the surface of the cooktop, and improving the ease with which thecooktop can be cleaned.

The pedestal 400 includes a pedestal body (i.e., base portion) 402having a lower surface 430 that is mounted on the cooktop surface 114.In another aspect, the pedestal body 402 can include a recessed portion(e.g., 480 shown in FIG. 20A) that is received in an opening of thecooktop surface 114 to secure the pedestal to the cooktop surface 114.

FIG. 18 shows the intersection or interface 250 of the lower surface 430of the pedestal body 402 with the cooktop surface 114. The footprint(e.g., the size, area, length, size and shape (or outline), length andshape (or outline), or area and shape (or outline), etc.) of the lowersurface 430 of the pedestal body 400 has no correlation (e.g., nomathematical correlation) with the bottom, or footprint, of the burner120. For example, in an aspect, the size and shape of the footprint ofthe pedestal body 402 is independent from the size and shape of thefootprint of the burner 120. In another aspect, the area and/or thelength of the perimeter of the footprint of the pedestal body 402 isless than the area or the length of the perimeter of the burner 120. Thepedestal body or base portion 402 decouples the footprint of the burnerbody 350 of the burner 120 from the cooktop surface 114.

FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate a partially exploded view of a burner 120having a burner portion 350, a pedestal portion 400, and a venturi tube308 for facilitating flow of the air-gas mixture from the mixing zone414 through the pedestal 400 and into the burner portion 350, where theair-gas mixture then exits the burner through the burner ports.

With reference to FIGS. 20A-20G, exemplary embodiments of a pedestal 400will now be described.

The pedestal 400 can include an upper portion 404 that supports theburner body 350. The pedestal body or base portion 402 decouples thefootprint of one or more of the upper portion 404 of the pedestal 400and the burner body 350 of the burner 120 from the cooktop surface 114.The upper portion 404 can include a plurality of fingers (e.g., 404A,404B, 404C, 404D, 404E). In this aspect, the upper portion 404 has fivefingers that form a star configuration corresponding to the starconfiguration of the burner 120. One of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that other numbers of fingers and configurations can beprovided. Other pedestal configurations also are possible. For example,the upper portion 404 of the pedestal 400 may have a circular or ovalshaped configuration. The upper portion 404 and the base portion 402 canbe integrally formed or separate parts, as shown for example in theexemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 17-23.

Referring again to FIG. 17, the upper portion 404 of the pedestal 400increases a horizontal distance X3 (e.g., a predetermined horizontaldistance) between the flames of the burner 120 and the interface 250between the pedestal 400 and the cooktop surface 114, thereby reducingor preventing the flame from the burner 120 from heating or baking aspill (e.g., a liquid or solid) onto the surface of the cooktop, andmore particularly at the interface 250 which is more difficult to clean,and improving the ease with which the cooktop surface 114 may becleaned.

Referring again to FIGS. 20A-20G, the pedestal 400 includes a pedestalbody 402 having a lower surface 430 for mounting on the cooktop surface114. In another aspect, the pedestal body 402 can include a recessedportion 480 for being received in an opening of the cooktop surface 114to secure the pedestal to the cooktop surface 114. The pedestal 400 alsoincludes an upper portion 404 formed on the pedestal body 402. The upperportion 404 can be integrally formed with the body portion 402 orcoupled to the body portion 402. The upper portion 404 has a pluralityof fingers (e.g., 404A, 404B, 404C, 404D, 404E). Each of the pluralityof fingers of the upper portion 404 has a lower surface 432, an endsurface 434, a pair of side surfaces 436, and an upper surface 408. Theupper surface 408 receives or supports the burner body 350. In anaspect, one or more of the lower surface 432, the end surface 434, orthe side surfaces 436 can be tapered or curved to improve flow ofsecondary air along the surface of the pedestal 400.

Referring to FIGS. 20D-20G, the pedestal 400 includes an upper cavity414 formed in the upper portion 404 and a lower cavity 416 formed in thebase portion 402. The upper cavity 414 is formed by a recessed surface410 and an upper wall surface 412. In this aspect, the recessed surface410 is angled with respect to a plane of the upper surface 408, ortapered downward toward the lower cavity 416, for example, to minimizeor reduce the resistance to the flow of the additional volume ofsecondary air 80 in the pedestal 400. The upper wall surface 412 alsomay be angled or tapered with respect to the upper surface 408 and therecessed surface 410.

Alternatively, the recessed surface 410 can be parallel to a plane ofthe upper surface 408 of the pedestal 400, as shown in the aspectillustrated in FIG. 22. In another aspect, the upper wall surface 412can be perpendicular to the upper surface 408 and/or the recessedsurface 410. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatvarious combinations of perpendicular, parallel, angled, tapered, and/orcurved upper wall surfaces and recessed surfaces may be provided.

Referring again to FIGS. 20A-20G, the recessed surface 410 has anopening 422 such that the upper cavity 414 is in fluid communicationwith the lower cavity 416. The lower cavity 416 is defined by a lowerwall surface 418 and an inside bottom surface 420. The inside bottomsurface 420 includes a first opening 424 and a second opening 426 thatextend through the lower surface 430 of the pedestal 400 such that thelower cavity 416 is in fluid communication with the exterior of thepedestal 400. The first opening 424 receives the venturi tube 308 (asshown in FIGS. 19A and 19B) for facilitating flow of the air-gas mixturefrom the mixing zone 414 through the pedestal 400 and into the burner120, where the air-gas mixture then exits the burner through the burnerports 424. The second opening 426 facilitates flow of an additionalvolume of secondary air 80 from under the cooktop surface 114 throughlower cavity 416 and upper cavity 414 of the pedestal 400 and out of theslots 240 of the pedestal to the flame 50.

In another aspect, the lower cavity 416 can be formed by the firstopening 424 and the second opening 426, as shown in FIG. 22. One ofordinary skill in the art will recognize that various cavityconfigurations are possible for promoting the flow of the air-gasmixture through the pedestal 400 to the burner 120, and for promotingthe flow of an additional volume of secondary air 80 from under thecooktop surface 114 to the flame 50.

Referring again to FIGS. 20A-20G, the pedestal 400 can include anintegral ignitor support 406 that extends radially from a center of thestar configuration and between two fingers of the star configuration ofthe pedestal. An ignitor 140 can be mounted on or in the ignitor support406 for igniting the air-gas mixture of the burner 120. In otheraspects, the ignitor support 406 may not be integrally formed with thepedestal 400. In these aspects, the ignitor and/or ignitor support canbe separate from the pedestal and disposed adjacent to the pedestal at aheight and/or distance that is sufficient for igniting the air-gasmixture from the burner 120.

Referring to FIG. 21, the housing 112 has an interior box or a rough-inbox 302 that encloses the cooktop controls and gas nozzle 310 inside acooking appliance 100, such as a range, or under a cooktop forinstallation in a rough-in opening in a cabinet or countertop. Therough-in box 302 may include a bottom wall to prevent spillage throughthe cooktop openings from soiling the interior of the range or cabinet.In addition, the rough-in box 302 may provide support for a jet holder306. An additional bracket also may be provided to support the jetholder 306.

As shown in FIG. 21, a venturi tube 308 includes an elongated bodyhaving a venturi passage 318. The body of the venturi tube 308 mayinclude an exterior, threaded portion adapted to receive a nut to lockthe venturi tube 308 into position in the opening of the cooktop surface114, under the cooktop surface 114, or inside or on the pedestal 200.The lower end of the venturi tube 308 is received in a jet holder 306and the upper end of the venturi tube 308 is received in an opening 424of the pedestal 400, which will be described in greater detail below.The jet holder 306 may be supported by the rough-in box 302 or anothersupport. The jet holder 306 may be mounted in the opening of the cooktopsurface 114 or under the cooktop surface 114. The jet holder 306positions a gas nozzle 310 for introducing gas for mixture with air andentry into the venturi passage 318 as is known conventionally. Thenozzle 310 is coupled to a supply of gas 312 and discharges the fuel toa mixing zone 314 adjacent the entry to the venturi passage 318.

In operation, the supply of gas 312 is delivered through the nozzle 310and mixed with air at the mixing zone 314. The air-gas mixture entersthe venturi passage 318 for delivery to the burner 120. The air-gasmixture then passes through the burner ports 424 such that, uponignition by an appropriate ignitor 140, a flame 50 may be initiated andsustained at the exterior of the burner cap 126 of the burner 120.

As shown in FIG. 21, aspects of the pedestal 400 can improve the flow ofsecondary air 70 to the flame 50. The pedestal 400 can include aplurality of slots 440 formed in the pedestal 400. The slots 440 mayfurther improve flame production by providing access to an additionalvolume of secondary air 80 from within the pedestal 400 or under thepedestal 400 and the cooktop 114. It is noted that other arrangements ofthe burner 120, pedestal 400, venturi tube 308, and gas nozzle 310 maybe provided without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. For example, in another aspect, the venturi tube 308 may beintegrally formed with the pedestal 400.

Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, the pedestal 400 can include a pluralityof slots 440 formed in the upper portion 404 of the pedestal 400. Theslots 440 provide fluid communication between the upper cavity 414 ofthe pedestal 400 and the exterior of the pedestal 400, which may improveflame production by providing access to an additional volume ofsecondary air 80 from within the pedestal 400 or under the pedestal 400and cooktop 114. The slots 440 may be formed in one or more of thesurfaces of the pedestal 400, such as the end surface 434 or the sidesurfaces 436. In other aspects, the slots 440 may be formed in the upperwall surface 412 of the pedestal 400. The slots 440 also may beconfigured to correspond to the locations of the burner ports 210 of theburner 120, which may further improve flame production.

In other aspects, the slots 440 can be formed in the lower surface 432(e.g., through the recessed surface 410) and/or the base 402 (e.g.,through the lower wall surface 118) of the pedestal 400 to provideaccess to an additional volume of secondary air 80 from within thepedestal 400 or under the pedestal 400 and cooktop 114. The slots 440are illustrated as rectangular openings for illustrative purposes only.One of ordinary skill will recognize that the slots 440 formed in thepedestal 400 may have various cross-sectional shapes, depths, widths,spacings, and orientations with respect to each other and/or thedirection of the fingers 404A-E of the pedestal 400. For example, theslots 440 can be square, curved, oval, circular, or V-groove shapedopenings, or other shaped openings. Also, a plurality of holes in thesurface or surfaces of the pedestal 400 can be provided in place of theslots 440. The holes can be circular, rectangular, square, or diamondshaped, as well as other suitable shapes.

The present invention has been described herein in terms of severalpreferred embodiments. However, modifications and additions to theseembodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artupon a reading of the foregoing description. It is intended that allsuch modifications and additions comprise a part of the presentinvention to the extent that they fall within the scope of the severalclaims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A home cooking appliance comprising: an upwardfacing cooktop surface; a venturi tube; a gas pedestal burner on thecooktop surface, wherein the gas pedestal burner includes: a burnerportion having a sidewall and a lower surface facing the cooktopsurface, wherein the sidewall includes a plurality of burner ports; anda base portion under the burner portion, the base portion elevating theburner portion in a vertical direction above the cooktop surface, thebase portion comprising a sidewall enclosing the venturi tube, whereinthe sidewall of the base portion defines a lower mounting surfacedisposed on the cooktop surface and supporting the gas pedestal burneron the cooktop surface, and wherein an area of a footprint of the lowermounting surface of the base portion is less than an area of a footprintof the lower surface of the burner portion.
 2. The home cookingappliance of claim 1, wherein a periphery of the base portion increasesin a vertical direction from the lower mounting surface up to the lowersurface of the burner portion.
 3. The home cooking appliance of claim 1,wherein a periphery of the base portion increases continuously in avertical direction from the lower mounting surface up to the lowersurface of the burner portion.
 4. The home cooking appliance of claim 1,wherein a periphery of the burner portion increases in a verticaldirection from the lower surface up to the plurality of burner ports inorder to promote airflow of secondary air in the vertical directionalong the sidewall of the burner portion up to the plurality of burnerports.
 5. The home cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein a periphery ofthe burner portion increases continuously in a vertical direction fromthe lower surface up to the plurality of burner ports in order topromote airflow of secondary air in the vertical direction along thesidewall of the burner portion up to the plurality of burner ports. 6.The home cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein a periphery of the baseportion is less than the periphery of an upper portion.
 7. The homecooking appliance of claim 1, wherein the lower mounting surface of thebase portion is coupled directly to the cooktop surface of the homecooking appliance.
 8. The home cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein thelower mounting surface of the base portion is coupled indirectly to thecooktop surface of the home cooking appliance.
 9. The home cookingappliance of claim 1, further comprising an intervening part on thecooktop surface, wherein the lower mounting surface of the base portionis coupled to the intervening part on the cooktop surface.
 10. The homecooking appliance of claim 9, wherein the lower mounting surface of thebase portion is sealed to the intervening part on the cooktop surface.11. The home cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein the cooktop surfaceincludes an integral volcano-type pedestal, and wherein the lowermounting surface of the base portion of the gas pedestal burner isdisposed on the integral volcano-type pedestal.
 12. The home cookingappliance of claim 11, wherein the integral volcano-type pedestal has acircular footprint, and wherein the footprint of the lower mountingsurface of the base portion of the gas pedestal burner is acorresponding circular footprint.
 13. The home cooking appliance ofclaim 11, wherein the integral volcano-type pedestal has an ovalfootprint, and wherein the footprint of the lower mounting surface ofthe base portion of the gas pedestal burner is a corresponding ovalfootprint.
 14. The home cooking appliance of claim 11, wherein theintegral volcano-type pedestal has a tear-drop shaped footprint, andwherein the footprint of the lower mounting surface of the base portionof the gas pedestal burner is a corresponding tear-drop shapedfootprint.
 15. The home cooking appliance of claim 11, wherein the lowermounting surface of the base portion is sealed to the integralvolcano-type pedestal.
 16. The home cooking appliance of claim 1,wherein the burner portion has a plurality of finger portions.
 17. Thehome cooking appliance of claim 16, wherein the base portion includes anignitor mounting surface having a burner ignitor, and wherein theignitor mounting surface extends radially from the base portion andbetween two adjacent fingers of the plurality of finger portions of theburner portion.
 18. The home cooking appliance of claim 16, furthercomprising a burner cap on an upper surface of the sidewall of theburner portion.
 19. The home cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein theburner portion has a star-shaped footprint.
 20. The home cookingappliance of claim 1, wherein the burner portion has one of a roundfootprint and an oval footprint.
 21. The home cooking appliance of claim1, wherein the lower mounting surface of the base portion is sealed tothe cooktop surface.
 22. The home cooking appliance of claim 1, whereinthe lower mounting surface of the base portion is integrally formed withanother part on the cooktop surface of the home cooking appliance. 23.The home cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein the gas pedestal burneris a sealed gas burner.
 24. The home cooking appliance of claim 1,wherein the base portion is separately formed from the burner portion.25. The home cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein the footprint of thelower mounting surface of the base portion of the gas pedestal burner isa circular footprint.
 26. The home cooking appliance of claim 1, whereinthe footprint of the lower mounting surface of the base portion of thegas pedestal burner is an oval footprint.
 27. The home cooking applianceof claim 1, wherein the footprint of the lower mounting surface of thebase portion of the gas pedestal burner is a tear-drop shaped footprint.28. The home cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein the cooktop surfaceincludes an opening under the base portion of the gas pedestal burner,wherein the burner portion of the gas pedestal burner includes a cavityin fluid communication with the plurality of burner ports, and whereinthe base portion of the gas pedestal burner includes one of an openingand a passageway fluidly connecting the opening in the cooktop surfaceto the cavity of the burner portion.
 29. The home cooking appliance ofclaim 1, wherein the base portion of the gas pedestal burner includes asecond opening and a burner ignitor in the second opening.
 30. The homecooking appliance of claim 1, wherein a shape of the footprint of thelower mounting surface of the base portion is different than a shape ofthe footprint of the lower surface of the burner portion.
 31. The homecooking appliance of claim 1, wherein a clearance between the lowersurface of the burner portion and the cooktop surface is one of equal toand greater than 19 mm.
 32. The home cooking appliance of claim 1,wherein a clearance between an upper surface of the sidewall of theburner portion and the cooktop surface is one of equal to and greaterthan 25 mm.
 33. A home cooking appliance comprising: an upward facingcooktop surface having an opening; a venturi tube; a gas burner abovethe opening of the cooktop surface; and wherein the gas burner includes:a burner portion having a sidewall and a lower wall having a lowersurface facing the cooktop surface, wherein at least the sidewall andthe lower wall define a cavity in the burner portion, and wherein thesidewall includes a plurality of burner ports; and a base portion underthe burner portion, the base portion elevating the burner portion in avertical direction above the cooktop surface, the base portioncomprising a sidewall enclosing the venturi tube, wherein the sidewallof the base portion defines a lower mounting surface that is supportedby the cooktop surface, wherein an area of a footprint of the lowermounting surface of the base portion is less than an area of a footprintof the lower surface of the burner portion, wherein the base portionincludes an opening extending in the vertical direction through the baseportion and fluidly connecting the opening in the cooktop surface to thecavity of the burner portion and configured to facilitate a flow of anair-gas mixture supplied from below the cooktop surface through theopening in the cooktop surface and through the venturi tube passingthrough the opening in the base portion into the cavity of the burnerportion.
 34. A home cooking appliance comprising: an upward facingcooktop surface; a venturi tube; a gas pedestal burner on the cooktopsurface, wherein the gas pedestal burner includes: a burner portionhaving a sidewall and a lower surface facing the cooktop surface,wherein the burner portion includes a plurality of burner ports; and abase portion under the burner portion, the base portion elevating theburner portion in a vertical direction above the cooktop surface, thebase portion comprising a sidewall enclosing the venturi tube, whereinthe sidewall of the base portion is disposed above the cooktop surfaceand supports the gas pedestal burner on the cooktop surface, wherein thecooktop surface includes an opening under the base portion of the gaspedestal burner, wherein the burner portion includes a cavity in fluidcommunication with the burner ports, wherein the base portion defines apassageway for the venturi tube fluidly connecting the opening in thecooktop surface to the cavity of the burner portion, wherein anoutermost perimeter edge of the burner portion extends radially outwardin a horizontal direction from a vertical axis of the cavity by agreater amount than an outermost perimeter edge of the base portionextends radially outward in the horizontal direction from the verticalaxis of the cavity.
 35. The home cooking appliance of claim 34, whereina periphery of the base portion increases continuously in a verticaldirection from a lower end up to the lower surface of the burnerportion.
 36. The home cooking appliance of claim 34, wherein a peripheryof the burner portion increases continuously in a vertical directionfrom the lower surface up to an upper surface of the sidewall in orderto promote airflow of secondary air in the vertical direction along thesidewall of the burner portion up to the plurality of burner ports. 37.The home cooking appliance of claim 34, wherein the base portion iscoupled directly to the cooktop surface of the home cooking appliance.38. The home cooking appliance of claim 34, further comprising anintervening part on the cooktop surface, wherein the base portion iscoupled to the intervening part on the cooktop surface.
 39. The homecooking appliance of claim 34, wherein the cooktop surface includes anintegral volcano-type pedestal, and wherein the base portion is disposedon the integral volcano-type pedestal.
 40. The home cooking appliance ofclaim 34, wherein the burner portion has a plurality of finger portionsextending radially outward in the horizontal direction.
 41. The homecooking appliance of claim 34, wherein the burner portion has one of around footprint and an oval footprint.